The tams biography

The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Copyright Muze UK Ltd., 1989 - 1998, states that this very popular US group was formed in 1952 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA Their line-up featured : Joseph Pope, Charles Pope, Robert Lee Smith, Horace Key.

Although such an early origin suggests longevity, it was not until 1960 that the group emerged with a single on Swan. Now dubbed the Tams (derived by their wearing of Tam O'Shanter hats on stage), they added a further member, Floyd Ashton, prior to signing with Bill Lowery, an Atlanta song publisher and entrepreneur.

Among those already on his books were Joe South and Ray Whitley, two musicians who would work closely with the group.

The tams biography

Untie Me, a South composition, was recorded at Fame and leased to Philadelphia's Arlen Records.

The song became a Top 20 US R&B hit. In 1963, Lowery secured a new deal with ABC Paramount. The Tams' first single there, 'What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am), reached the US Top 10 and established a series of Whitley-pe